Millersville deserves some credit. They got shredded in the first half and yet stayed within 10 points. They made great adjustments at halftime and IUP went to sleep. They made some real big shots down the stretch. Conversely, IUP didn't adjust at all to Millersville taking away the deep shot. Chucky really bailed them out today.
The Marauders could make some noise. That's a tough venue to play in ... very claustrophobic.
* Malik Miller is up to 32 turnovers -- far too many for a non-PG. His 8 TOs yesterday combined with Dante's 7 played a massive role in a near loss. Yesterday was the first game I'd call the duo truly sloppy. It was the back-end of a doubleheader weekend against a juiced up team, but just relax a bit. Every play doesn't have to be a highlight. The last 2-3 minutes of the first half should have seen IUP extend that 12-14 point lead up to 18-20 (and not the 10 it ended up being) -- and put the game away. Dante is currently at 45 assists to 28 TOs. Those designed, end of the half plays ... at the very least IUP needs to go in even. Yesterday was the second or third time they've botched the play with points somehow resulting on the other end.
* IUP's FT shooting is horrendous. No way to sugar coat a team number of 65 percent. The big guys have to improve. They will get hacked all year. Poor FT shooting is letting teams hang around too long. It has now literally almost cost them wins against Virginia State (69%), Kutztown (63%) and Millersville (59%). Those numbers aren't some big secret. IUP may start getting some 'hack-a-Shaq' defenses moving forward.
* This team is struggling holding (and extending) big leads. It happened in both the Kutztown and Millersville games. Land the kill shot. Give teams life and you saw what happens.
* IUP better be prepared to handle the defense Millersville ran in the second half yesterday. It worked like a charm. The Marauders sold out on the deep shots. IUP was routinely getting trapped up high. Why the ball wasn't worked inside more is a good question.
* Could really use a shot blocker.
Positives:
* 8-0
* Team found a way to win two road games they would have likely lost a year ago. That's the depth.
* Marko had a breakout against Kutztown -- going for 10 points and 9 boards.
* Chucky was a huge spark yesterday. He really saved that game for them in my opinion. He's in a tough spot backing up one of the best players in the country but he's making a case for more minutes. He's a spark plug.
* Armoni Foster was clutch in the final moments yesterday. That was a gigantic trey and two foul shots. He had a strong weekend. He was in a funk the prior weekend.
* Greg Bearer is becoming a bit of a sniper.
* Week to prepare for Shippensburg. They'll get to watch them against Bowie State on Wednesday. Certainly some 'payback time' in the air heading in to this game.
* All for one game a year in the Field House ... shame it has to be this one.
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